The Perfect Old Town Charmer - 1021 Fleming Street, Key West

Just Listed, 1021 Fleming Street, Key West. Longtime readers of my blog may recall that I first wrote about 1021 Fleming Street in 2010 just after it was listed for sale as a bank owned property.  I posted two more blogs documenting the renovation and restoration of this property which resulted in it receiving the 2014 Florida Keys Historic Preservation Award for excellence in historic preservation. The ceramic star award is visible next to the front door.   

In 2010 I wrote "You can tell a lot about houses the way that prior owners cared for them. Look at the photo above, it says it all. "HOME SWEET HOME". The paint is peeling a bit. Kind of like when a distinguished gentleman gets older and his skin looses the tautness of youth. Crows feet and little wrinkles appear. I guess some would say a man with features like that is over the hill. Others may find a man like that a great catch." The buyer who bought and restored this house definitely viewed the home as a great catch and methodically took the house apart and thoughtfully put it back together again with care and attention to detail at every point. This home will bring great joy to a lucky new owner.

1021 Fleming Street was and remains a simple and unassuming house. The simple original structure has been sensibly updated. The interiors are white with black accents and rich wood floors. The pillars from the front porch are copied midway on the main level to support the second floor where an old wall system was removed.  The first floor ceiling is fairly tall.  A tall man will feel comfortable in all of the rooms. There is a little cubbyhole closet under the staircase. In fact, there are many closets and storage places located throughout the house.

The first view I saw when I entered the house were the French doors at the rear which open out to the pool. I really couldn't wait to see what the owner, architect, builder had created. That view is what you and your guests will see each time the front door opens. It will surely delight you every time you enter.

Let me just say the kitchen is perfect. As with the rest of the house, the kitchen is all white except for the black upper glass front panel doors and the rich wood floors. Imagine standing at the farmer's sink cleaning up after breakfast and looking out the window at the palm fronds and other tropical foliage. The garden will bring joy to your heart each time you do the dishes - a chore I hate. Or, you could walk a couple of blocks in any direction to dine at any one of many cafes or restaurants. This home is located in the center of Old Town within easy walking distance to everything that makes Key West a delight. A lot of people from all over the world save money to vacation in Key West for a week or two each year. Many dream of being able to walk out the door and stroll a couple of blocks to do this or that or the other thing. As an owner of a house, you could do just that. Anytime.

Or you could stay at home and lounge on the veranda or lay by the pool and wait for someone to bring you a cocktail or something to eat to show gratitude for having bought such a wonderful home.  The  veranda provides shade for those who need it. The Ipe deck and stone terrace offer ample areas for sunning. A surfboard has been re-purposed for use as the standard upon which the outdoor shower is located. Look about the pool. None of the neighboring homes have even a hint of a view what goes on down there. And other than the coconut palm on the north side of the pool, there are no large trees to interfere with sunning.

The garage which measures 14' wide by 18' deep sits at the far northwest corner of the lot. There is full driveway access on the west side of the house to use the building as a garage. But I think a better use might be to create a guest bed and bath or simply use the space as a poolside bar. There is water to the building. Key West code would allow an owner to improve this building where it sits. I have seen some incredible conversions of similar spaces. Since the main house has only two bedrooms, a third bedroom might work well. However, there are a couple of nearby guest houses where your guests could stay. You might opt to save thousands of dollars making a bar stocked with premium booze and have money left in the bank.

I have this theory about guest bedrooms. If you have too many or if they are too nice, you will never have your house to yourself. This first floor guest room is damned fine. I love the space. Pocket doors provide privacy when needed. The door can remain open other times and let muted sun shine through to the living room.

The master bedroom and bath occupy the entire second floor. The space is so simple and so inviting. The bed is tucked under the front gable. It's like a little bird's nest. A cocoon, perhaps. A simple place to sleep. The floors are painted white as are the walls and ceiling. The only colors come from the black stair rails and wood beams. There's a bit of gray in the bathroom where double windows look down to the pool below. Remember, no neighbors have views of this house. Curtains are not needed.There is a chandelier in the bath. It is one of four light fixtures that both illuminate and decorate the space where they hang. There is even a small sitting area tucked in under the east gable.
 CLICK HERE to view more photos of 1021 Feming Street.

Several scenes of the 1992 movie Criss Cross starring Goldie Hawn were filmed on this block. Twenty six years later the block has been dramatically gentrified. Two of the houses on this block had the highest sales prices for the year in which they were sold. I took the second floor photo (three above) a couple of years ago. It shows 1021 Fleming with the front tree in bloom. I took the middle photo a couple of days ago. That tree is full of flowers again. Such is the joy of living on a little island paradise out in the middle of the ocean. Once you are out by your pool, you may not care about anything else in front of the house or down the street. All will be right with the world..

CLICK HERE to take a 3D Tour of 1021 Fleming Street. Use the toggle button to maneuver throughout the house.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1021 Fleming Street which is offered at $1,475,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com.   I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, the listing brokerage for this property.

1523 Washington Street, Key West - This Home is a Gem!

Just Listed 1523 Washington Street, Key West. This is a mid-century modern one story home with four bedrooms and three baths which includes a stand alone guest cottage all located on a large and sunny corner lot in the Casa Marina East neighborhood.

The combined living space between the main home and guest cottage is 2,094 square feet. The lot measures 101' X 93' or 9395 square feet. The lot is fenced on all sides and tropically landscaped. There is even a gated main entry plus a carport. The house, cottage, fence and carport are all concrete block concrete block construction. This is a very stable construction which has been meticulously maintained. The interiors were updated about twenty years ago.

The listing broker describes 1523 Washington Street this way:

"Located on a double corner lot this one level 3/2 home and guest cottage is great for carefree indoor/outdoor living and entertaining as evidenced by the many large & small parties and events hosted here over the years. The sun filled living and dining rooms flow onto the covered 30 foot patio and the heated pool and gardens. A separate guest house was built by the owners and is also poolside.In addition to the three bedrooms and two baths, the main house features a den/video room and a modern kitchen with wood cabinets and granite countertops. The entire property is fenced and walled for privacy and there's a covered carport as well. A winding walkway meanders around the pool through the lush vegetation and past a paved pavilion with water and electrical connections. This home is a gem!"

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

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527 Margaret Street, Key West - New Lower Price!

This is not a Hah! Hah! moment for the Sellers, who I have met and really like, but it is a buying opportunity for a Buyer who wants to buy a quality home at a really great price.  I wrote about 527 Margaret Street, Key West soon after it was listed for sale. I really thought it would sell in a matter of days because it has almost every feature most buyers are looking for in Old Town except a third bedroom or parking. Let me share with you what it does have and why I think this property is such a great value. 

First, the listing Realtor's description:

"Stunning and Stylish Renovation in this Historic Home, Ideally Located on 500 block of Margaret St, walking distance to so many attractions, Restaurants and Galleries. Remodeled in 2015, the home underwent a complete Foundation to Roof Renovation and received the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Award in 2016. Features include Soaring Exposed Beam Ceilings, White Oak Wood Floors, Top End Appliances, A wall of glass leading to pool and Deck. Beautifully finished bedrooms and baths, with 2 bedrooms and additional loft. Being Sold Turn Key!"

I wrote about this property years ago when it was a multi-family house with numerous gawd-awful additions. Later I wrote about it while under renovation in my Projects of Key West continuum.  Then I wrote about the house when it was completed. Now it is available for re-sale. The original house was taken to the ground and totally rebuilt save enough boards to fit within a thin definition of a renovation. The end result is a beautiful home located in a great Old Town location near all the places primary and second home owners seek. It is located just four blocks from world famous Duval Street and only four blocks to the Historic Seaport. One of Key West's finest steak houses in located across the street and dozens of small joints and fine dining restaurants are within easy walking distance. While what you see from the street is picture perfect, it's the interior that will really grab your attention. As you look more closely, you'll appreciate the quality new construction and the cost saving benefits owning a home like this offers tear after year.

When you look at the house from the street you would probably expect the interiors to be compact and tight because the house simply looks like a quaint one story home with a cute little front porch. But you would be wrong. Very wrong. Oh, it is just a one story house, but once you open the door and pass through the formal entry hall you'll see a wall of glass which soars to the vaulted ceiling immediately refuting any pre-conceptions about this home being small.

The first thing I saw was the canopy of the old banyan tree at the rear. The blue sky seemed to blend with the subtle and not-so-subtle blue tones interspersed throughout the house.  The wood ceiling and white washed wood floors add a natural color perspective to this living space. There is a guest bath located off the center hall adjacent to the adult beverage center with color co-ordinated booze. The laundry area is opposite. Dale Trice designed the interiors and created the media and display wall with storage below. Giant shells and white objets d'art fill that space and throughout the house. The setting is like something out of Coastal Living Magazine or Architectural Digest. Maybe it should be!

The master and guest bedroom (with loft) are located at the front of the house. Both have en-suite baths.The master suite is stunning-almost regal. The guest bedroom is quite understated by comparison. The loft space will be a favorite of the grand kids. I don't know if kids still play "fort" like I did when I was a child. This space would make a perfect fort, of that I am sure. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos.  527 Margaret Street is offered turn key at $1,499,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Key West Realtor Understudy

I was searching the Key West MLS yesterday when I noticed a new listing that reminded me of a nearby property that I sold a few years ago. My buyer and I arrived at the house on an early Saturday morning to be present during the home inspection on the house he had under contract. We met the inspector who set out to poke, prod, test, and photograph various parts of the house.

Remember this was an early Saturday morning - not anywhere near cocktail time - not even near lunch. Or even brunch.  The listing Realtor was present. She was wearing heels and a tight fitting dress with a very short hem.

The home inspector opened the access panel to the attic and went up. The listing agent followed. I was standing below with my buyer. We both looked up as we were preparing to follow. Imagine the photo above but without the tights. Or anything under the dress.

Things that have been seen cannot be unseen.

1425 Whalton Street, Key West - Beautiful Casa Marina Property

Just Listed, but not by me, 1425 Whalton Street, Key West. This modest looking three bedroom ranch was built in 1963 and sits on an 8775 square foot lot at the corners of Whalton and Von Phister Streets in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West. There are three salient facts in the preceding sentence that potential home buyers and renovators  One - the date of construction means this house is not a contributing structure to out Historic Housing and may be torn down and a new home built. Two - the corner lot has 97 feet frontage on the Von Phister Street side. Some might argue the Von Phister street address adds more value to the property just by the address. From my perspective the lot size opens the property to a multitude of renovation or new construction opportunities. Three - it's Casa Marina baby!  This is where the other rich folk want to live.

Readers of my blog may recall my last Projects of Key West blog where I noted the sale of 1506 Grinnell Street which sold in 2015 for $1.3 million and then torn down only to start construction on a new house. See photos below. That property is located one block south and one block west of 1425 Whalton Street. The dynamics of the neighborhood are the same. Both addresses command high sales prices because new houses on large lots will be worth substantially more when a new house is built.

Most of the homes in the Casa Marina Area sit on lots larger than 5,000 square feet which in many cases is twice the size of lots in the Old Town area. This 8775 square foot lot offers great development potential compared to restrictions in Old Town. 1425 Whalton Street has one mahogany tree located in the northeast corner. Otherwise, a new owner should be able to create a new home and landscaping plan that meets the desires of the owner unburdened by the whims of tree huggers. Also note the lot has abundant sunshine from the south, north, and west.  This means a new pool could have abundant sunshine throughout the day. 

The Casa Marina Area is located south of United Street and west of White Street where it ends at Louie's Backyard. Higg's Beach is the southern boundary. Astro City is a playground for the kids. There are two doggie parks segregated by size. There's a burger joint at the beach and of course there's always Louie's for sophisticated drinking and dining. But it's the beach from early morning until sunset that draws so many of us to the Casa.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for more particular details on the property and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I live in the Casa Marina Area and love it. I know you will too. 

Cooties

I had to go to my old shoebox to find the above photo of me and the 1959 sixth grade class boys who were members of our Safety Patrol. I have told this tale once before, but it applies to my story for today as much as any life less could.

By the sixth grade we were all pretty much grown up or so we thought.  Mr. Albert Morrison was my sixth grade teacher. He had fought in World War II. He was a member of the Kiwanis Clubs and got his organization to provide our safety patrol members with yellow rain slickers, yellow surplus Army surplus helmets, and white safety belts which we wore while standing guard for the younger students as they walked to and from school each day. Mr. Morrison also assisted Dr. O'Day who was our Boy Scout troop leader. Mr. Morrison took our troop up Eldorado Canyon (Colorado) on a three day  weekend camping trip. I saw him smoke. I heard him swear. He was mortal. Back then no teacher smoked or swore.

I guess every school has a kid that is a bit different. Our kid was Tommy Myers. He always looked and smelled like Pig-Pen. He was never really scrubbed clean like the other boys. He had cooties. Really.

Mr. Morrison did not like Tommy. Not one bit. One day Mr. Morrison got so mad at Tommy that he dashed from the front of the classroom to grab Tommy by his dirty little brown arm and yanked him out of his chair and dragged him through the classroom like a rag doll and kicked him out the door. We were shocked. We had never seen Mr. Morrison or any teacher ever treat a student like that. Mr. Morrison was three or four times the size of that kid. He had been in the war. He could have killed the kid. Yeah, he smoked. And he did bad!

One time Tommy gave me a twenty dollar bill as a gift for being his friend. That night I set up my mom's ironing board to iron my money so it would look crisp. My big brother saw my stacks of ones but got really bossy an demanded to know where I got that $20 bill. That got my mother in on the conversation. They both probably thought I stole it from them. I never did anything like that. I told my mother that Tommy had given it to me. She made me go over to Tommy's house to return the money to Tommy's mother. Twenty dollars in 1959 would be worth $170.60 in 2018. I would have been rich if I hadn't been such a neat freak or if Tommy hadn't tried to bribe me to like him.

Fast forward fifty-nine years to a few weeks ago. I was on another Key West Association of Realtors caravan where agents tour new additions to our MLS (multiple listing service).  A guy from my gym was standing in front of the house he rents with the listing agent. I said hello and walked inside expecting the place to be prissy clean as this guy is so anal about everything.  I nearly gagged at the smells. I quickly walked out the back door to recover. I was disgusted. I went back inside and wrote one word on the comment sheet "filthy!" and left.  Now I can't even look at the guy when I see him at the gym. He and his rental house have cooties.

I don't think the Realtor will be able to sell that place with the cootie monster living there. You can't get rid of cooties. Seriously!

The Blowhard Buyer in the Age of GOOGLE

Realtors run into all kinds of people with all kings of personalities. Sometimes the worst parts of personalities emerge during the process of getting a real estate deal "done".  I have written before about some of the crazy stuff that I did over the years trying to get the better part of any deal I was personally involved in. I mention this up front just so that you know that I know I am not without egotistical sin.

I once had on a listing on a perfect Conch Cottage in Old Town Key West. It was the perfect dream cottage for many would-be buyers. A new agent (who I will call "Joe" called me to set up the showing.  The sellers were away at their other home up north in America so I could show the listing anytime. I Google searched his name and learned he had a Facebook account. I then Facebook - stalked Joe to find out more about him when I discovered he was a full time bartender at a tourist trap bar on Duval Street. There are about 380 licensed Realtors in Key West many of whom have full time jobs doing something that does not involved selling or managing real estate. Joe was one of those agents. And brand new on top of that.


The appointed time arrived. Joe arrived with his prospects. I put on my smiley face and welcomed the buyers and the agent into my listing. I led them from the front of the house to the rear so they could see the money view first - the pool and gardens. This is what all buyers want. I then explained all the things the owners had done since they bought this home. The buyers paid no attention and started falling in love with the idea of owning this place. Nevertheless, I took them through the rest of the house to point out the renovations that were perfectly executed.

Joe called me the nest day and asked asked if his buyers could come back for a second look in the early afternoon. I agreed and met them at the house an hour or so later. All three arrived with cocktails in hand. That's usually not a good sign.  I let them move about the house and stood ready to answer questions.  The man was feeling his alcohol and started to tell me how rich he was. 

The next day Joe the bartender-Realtor sent me a cash offer.  The offer was about ten percent below asking which I felt was way below real consideration. I called Joe to discuss and told him that most house tend to sell between 94 to 96 percent of asking. I didn't know if Joe knew this. He said his guy would go higher and that the buyer expected a counter offer.

I emailed the offer to my sellers and called them at the same time. I remember both my husband and wife sellers were on the phone. He asked questions about price and she asked questions about the buyer and the woman. I told about the man's swagger and self importance. Did I have proof of funds? Was he real? The wife asked how the man treated the woman - were they married?  Did he treat her with respect? They agreed to a counter offer and gave buyer a deadline of the following day to accept.

I called Joe and relayed the offered which I followed up by email. I remember waking up the next morning and not feeling good about what was going on. I GOOGLED the buyer's name and address. The name produced a shocking result - an arrest record in northern Florida. Florida arrest records and photos are available at all county seats across the state. So I looked and found out Mr. Blowhard had been arrested and convicted of Battery.  There was mugshot which proved it was the right man.  And the photo was scary on top of it. I then GOOGLED Mr. Blowhard's street address and found a modest house in a nice neighborhood but certainly not the type of house one would expect the owner to be able to pay about a million bucks in cash for a cottage in Key West.

Not long after I found the arrest record and GOOGLE MAP map info. Almost simultaneously my seller sent me an email with a link to what I had discovered on my own. He quizzed me to ask if I was aware. I called him and said I had discovered the same on my own. Later that day I called Joe the Bartender-Realtor to ask the status of the counter offer. Joe told me that his buyer did not being given a time specific to respond to the counteroffer and decided not to pursue for the time being. I thank Joe but never told him about his customers conviction or unpretentious house up north.

I know a lot of people start conversations with people they meet casually or in business settings by asking 20 questions. I do not like to do that. I try not to do it. I think it is invasive and not professional.  Thank God for GOOGLE.

P.S. I sold my listing at full price to a couple from up north, in America. CASH.  Old Money. Real Money.